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The Mountain Metalsmiths School of Jewelry and Lapidary, founded by Ruthie Cohen, jeweler and member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, is opening for its second year on Tuesdays in January 2008 with day classes from 1 to 4pm and evening classes from 7 to 10pm. Open studio hours on Wednesdays from 1 to 4pm and 7 to 10 pm are now being offered for the rusty jeweler or for a jeweler in need of bench space. Ruthie is pleased to announce the addition of classes and workshops in lapidary. The school is located at 197 Locust Court, Arden, NC and is geared to teach those who wish to develop jewelry and lapidary skills in a non-competitive, supportive environment.
The classes are intentionally kept small; no more than 6 students, so that everyone has the same opportunity to learn. Two or three day weekend workshops starting February 9-10, offer a more intensive learning experience. Classes are individually designed for each student�s skill level. The beginner is exposed to various techniques such as sawing, soldering, forging, filing, polishing, and simple stone setting. The more experienced jeweler can explore different surface techniques with hammers, burs, pliers, flex shaft, rolling mill, reticulation and more complex stone setting, wax carving and casting. Ruthie Cohen, originally an award-winning fiber artist, was challenged to work in metal after 10 years of creating wall hangings, window treatments, and even furniture. Her first jewelry designs were bracelets created in silver with macram� knots. Jewelry education came hard-earned. Ruthie was raising a family during the day, and taught herself jewelry skills at night. Funds for formal training were non-existent. A few fellow jewelers eventually gave her some helpful hints after she achieved a level of expertise. She then spent the next 25 years exhibiting her jewelry designs at juried craft fairs all over the East Coast. She has also sold her work nationally in many prestigious galleries. After 35 years of traveling the show circuit, she has decided to �pay it forward� and teach others to make jewelry in a relaxed but informative setting. For further information, visit the school website: www.mmsjl.com. (Images provided by Mountain Metalsmiths School of Jewelry and Lapidary.)
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